Wednesday, June 15, 2016

SHA to Begin Resurfacing Project on Beltway and Seminary Road Overpass

Evening rush hour traffic from the Capital Beltway merging with I270.
 Beginning in mid-June, the State Highway Administration (SHA) will begin a year-long resurfacing project on a six-mile stretch of the inner loop of the Capital Beltway, between I-270 and the Seminary Road overpass just west of Georgia Avenue.

During the first phase of the project, crews will work overnight, every Sunday through Thursday night, closing one or two lanes to remove the existing asphalt starting at 9 p.m. and reopening lanes the following morning at 5 a.m. There will be occasional overnight closures on Friday and Saturday nights, as well.

During phase two of the project next spring, up to three lanes may be closed overnight.

The project also will include repairs to the Capital Beltway inner loop bridge decks over Connecticut Avenue and Kensington Parkway, replacement of guardrails and upgrades to stormwater management inlets and pipes.

More information is available on SHA’s website.


SHA to Begin Bethesda Trolley Trail Improvement Project

The Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) has awarded a contract to construct a 10-foot-wide, shared use, hiker-biker path along Old Georgetown Road (MD 187) that will connect with the Bethesda Trolley Trail section north of McKinley Street. Construction will begin this summer and is expected to be completed by December of this year.

SHA is also making improvements at MD 187 and Cedar Lane and is installing an eight-foot trail section between Alta Vista Road and Charles Street.

Once the Bethesda Trolley Trail project and Cedar Lane projects are completed, there will be a continuous trail along MD 187 from Charles Street to north of McKinley Street.


































County Executive Summit on Aging Report Now Available


In December 2015, County Executive Ike Leggett held a second Summit on Aging to review the accomplishments and progress made on policies and programs since the first event was held in 2008.  A goal of the summits is to focus on efforts that allow seniors of all socioeconomic, ethnic, and diverse backgrounds to live and thrive in the County.

Work sessions at the Summit focused on topics of interest to seniors, including one on Transportation and Mobility attended by MCDOT Director Al Roshdieh and senior staff. At that session, participants identified key challenges, solutions, partnerships and priorities.

The transportation priorities identified were:

  • Educate the public;
  • Ensure a safe travel environment for seniors;
  • Expand affordable options;
  • Increase availability of accessible transportation;
  • Consider safety of older drivers and those transitioning from driving; and
  • Increase ride-sharing and other volunteer programs.

The Summit brought together more than 400 stakeholders from government, business, nonprofit,
advocacy, faith-based and healthcare organizations as well as County seniors. During the morning
session, attendees heard from the County Executive and co-chairs of the Subcabinet on Senior Vital Living.

See the full report online. The Transportation and Mobility section begins on page 39.

 http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/senior/Resources/Files/Summit_On_Aging_report-2015.pdf

County Website Offers Information for Older Drivers

 

Montgomery County has a new website for older residents and their families that provides information about driving safely and alternate transportation options that are available to seniors who prefer to limit or stop driving.  Learn more at: Explore Older Driver Resources.


Winners of New Bike at White Flint Bike to Work Day Have Participated Since 2002

Pictured are Joe, Amy, Elena and Olivia Woitach and Bob Mallasch, with Bob’s Bikes in Poolesville, 
who presented the family with their new bike.
Bike to Work Day participants since 2002, the Woitach family, were thrilled to learn that they had won a free "fold up bike" at White Flint’s Bike to Work Day this year. The family of five, including their son Joseph, regularly bicycle along routes such as the C&O Canal and Beach Drive. As their car rack only fits four bikes, the fold up bike is the perfect solution for their family outings as it easily stores in their car.

Ride On’s Will Kenlaw Selected for TAM Board Leadership Position



Will Kenlaw, marketing, advertising and customer service program manager for Montgomery County Department of Transportation's Ride On, was selected to serve as an at-large member on the Transportation Association of Maryland (TAM) Board at its annual membership meeting in May.

Board members work to pursue TAM's mission to improve mobility and economic opportunity for all Maryland citizens. They serve a two-year term.

TAM hosts numerous trainings, events and networking opportunities for members while working to achieve positive legislative change for transportation in Maryland. 

(Source: Transportation Association of Maryland Inc.  June 2, 2016)


 http://www.taminc.org/


Highway Services to Close Portion of Wildcat Road for Three-Month Project


This month, the Division of Highway Services will begin a project to replace four, failing, storm drain culverts. The culverts will be replaced with larger, stronger concrete pipe culverts. The project is expected to take about three months, weather permitting.

During construction, a portion of Wildcat Road, between Brink Road and Davis Mill Road, will be closed to all but local traffic. Detours will be well marked. 

Highway Services Begins Repair and Replacement Project in College View


In June, the Division of Highway Services (DHS) begins a six to eight-week project to repair and/or replace curbs, gutters and sidewalks in the College View neighborhood in Kensington. DHS will remove and replace damaged sidewalks and ensure they comply with Americans with Disabilities Act standards; remove and replace deteriorated, damaged and misaligned sidewalks and curbs; and restore disturbed areas with soil, grass seed and straw mulch.

Residents are eligible to participate in the Driveway Apron and Lead Walk Repair Program that allows homeowners to take advantage of the County’s competitively bid contract prices to replace these parts of their property. Read more.

Work will occur between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m., Monday through Friday.


MCDOT Completes Chapman Avenue Extension; Project Designed to Relieve Congestion and Promote Safety in White Flint Area


The Montgomery County Department of Transportation’s (MCDOT) Division of Transportation Engineering has completed a project to extend Chapman Avenue, from Randolph Road to Old Georgetown Road, and it is now open to traffic. The road includes five-foot sidewalks on both sides of the street and a signed/shared bikeway on Chapman Avenue.  As the White Flint area redevelops into a more walkable/bikeable community, Chapman Avenue provides another critical north-south link that is expected to help relieve traffic congestion on MD 355. 

“We have envisioned a Smart Growth future for the White Flint area that creates a more pedestrian and bicycle friendly community – one with a street grid that provides easy access to residential, retail and commercial properties,” said County Executive Isiah Leggett. “The Chapman Avenue extension is an important element in that plan to enhance safety, relieve congestion and provide better access.”

The road was built with future amenities in mind, such as non-standard lighting, shared use walk and bikeways and other accommodations to support a live, work, play community. Utilities were moved underground and conduit installed to accommodate White Flint street lighting that will match later development of the streetscape. Shade trees were installed as part of the landscape treatment. Traffic signals and crosswalk improvements were made at the intersection of Chapman Avenue and Randolph Road. Pocket parking lanes are available for vehicles. The project also includes stormwater management features.

The $3.3 million Chapman Avenue extension reconstructed Maple Avenue south of Randolph Road and connected it to Chapman Avenue. The resulting 70-foot-wide roadway completes the last link in the Chapman Avenue – Citadel Avenue roadway corridor.  Construction on the project began in March 2015.

Ride On Wants to Know How Metro’s Safetrack Will Affect Your Commute


Montgomery County’s Ride On bus service is planning free shuttles and other service changes during SafeTrack -- Metro’s safety repair blitz. To better target service enhancements, Ride On wants to know more about how SafeTrack will affect you. Take this five-question survey.


MCDOT’s Commuter Services to Hold Free Telework Webinars to Help Employers During SafeTrack


Montgomery County Department of Transportation's (MCDOT) Commuter Services has scheduled two Telework webinars for June 23 and 28 to help employers quickly set up a telework program. Telework is one option that could help commuters during SafeTrack, Metrorail’s yearlong effort to improve reliability and safety. Teleworking – working remotely – from one day a week to full time is one way employers can maintain or even improve productivity.

The webinar instructor, Elham Shirazi, has more than 30 years of experience in developing telework programs for the private, public and non-profit sectors. Learn key implementation steps such as developing a policy and basic procedures, selecting the right employees and jobs, and adapting the organizational culture for employees who Telework. Representatives from local organizations will also present summaries of their telework programs.

Free, on-site, consulting services are also available to help employers get started.

Get more information about the webinars and register online.


Roshdieh to be Featured Speaker at Third Great Montgomery Bike Summit to be Held June 18


Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) Director Al Roshdieh and MCDOT Transportation Engineering staff will be presenters at the third Great Montgomery Bike Summit on June 18. They will join Montgomery County Councilmember Hans Riemer, Greg Billing, executive director of WABA and Dave Anspacher, Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission transportation planner in discussing ways to improve the bicycle experience and innovative ideas on improving the County’s bike infrastructure.

The event begins at 9:15 a.m. with a group bike ride from the Grosvenor Metro Station to the County Council Office Building (100 Maryland Avenue, Rockville). Riemer will kick off the speakers and Roshdieh will speak at 10:45 a.m.

The summit is being organized by Riemer, the Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) and the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission.

For more information, go online or call 240-777-7964.


Participants on the group ride at the 2015 Bike Summit.

Roshdieh Participated in Regional Panel on SafeTrack


Al Roshdieh pictured second from left.
Montgomery County Department of Transportation Director Al Roshdieh was a panel member at a regional Safe Track event sponsored by the Greater Washington Board of Trade where he discussed measures Montgomery County is taking to help travelers during SafeTrack – WMATA’s yearlong repair of the Metrorail system.

Roshdieh joined representatives from WMATA, the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, Alexandria, Arlington, the District of Columbia, and Fairfax and Prince George's counties.

Read more about Montgomery County's plans.


Check out this Video of MCDOT at Bike to Work Day

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0oY0YVGC0bM&feature=youtu.be

Montgomery County Department of Transportation Commuter Services hosted several pit stops at this year's Bike to Work Day. This fun, two-minute video recaps some of the highlights: Watch here.

Friday, June 3, 2016

Go Montgomery! June 3, 2016

Go Montgomery

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MCDOT to Provide Supplemental Bus and Other Services During SafeTrack Surges

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation continues to develop plans to supplement the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (WMATA) efforts to assist travelers during SafeTrack. SafeTrack is WMATA’s year-long effort to improve the safety and reliability of the Metrorail system. Three planned line segment repairs and around-the-clock single tracking projects, referred to as “Safety Surges,” will affect WMATA’s Red Line service in Montgomery County. Read more.

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Capital Bikeshare to Offer Special Fares During SafeTrack

Beginning on Saturday, June 4, Capital Bikeshare will offer a Single-Trip fare that will allow travelers to take a single Capital Bikeshare ride for as low as $2 for trips under 30 minutes. Read more.

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Keep Montgomery County Clean and Green Landscape Beautification Contest Deadline Extended to June 17

The deadline for the Montgomery County Department of Transportation's (MCDOT) Annual Keep Montgomery County Clean and Green (formerly Keep Montgomery County Beautiful) Landscape Beautification Contest has been extended to June 17. Read more.

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Become an Adopt a Road or Adopt a Spot Volunteer

Join hundreds of volunteers who keep our roadways and parks free of litter by participating in the Montgomery County Department of Transportation’s (MCDOT) Adopt A Road (AAR) and Adopt A Spot (AAS) programs. Read more.

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SHA Resurfacing MD 119 and Kentlands Boulevard/Orchard Ridge Drive in Gaithersburg; Will Include Off-Peak Nighttime Lane Closures

The Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) this week began resurfacing the intersection of MD 119 (Great Seneca Highway) at Kentlands Boulevard/Orchard Ridge Drive. Read more.

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MCDOT’s Division of Parking Management Wins Two Awards from International Parking Institute

In addition to winning the International Parking Institute’s (IPI) Award of Excellence for its Capital Crescent Garage, MCDOT’s Division of Parking Management also won a Parking Matters® Marketing and Communications award. Read more.

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Planning Department Launches Bike Stress Map; Asks for Help in Identifying Connections Not Listed

The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Bicycle Master Plan team has evaluated more than 3,500 miles of roads and trails in the County to determine the amount of traffic stress that people experience when bicycling on them. Read more.

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WABA to Sponsor Bike Safety Class

The Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) is sponsoring a City Cycling bike safety class to enhance cycling confidence for those 16 and older. Read more.

June 3, 2016


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Update on Highway Services Road Resurfacing and Repair Projects

MCDOT extends the life of roads by making timely repairs.Read more.

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MCDOT to Hold Public Hearing on Musgrove Road Sidewalk on June 16

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation will hold a public hearing on a proposal to construct missing sidewalk segments along Musgrove Road. Read more.

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Weekend-Long Capital Beltway Double Lane Closures Begin the Evening of June 10 for Emergency Bridge Work on Outer Loop of I-495

Beginning Friday, June 10 at 9 p.m. (weather permitting), the Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) will temporarily close two lanes on the outer loop of I-495 (Capital Beltway) from MD 97 (Georgia Avenue) to MD 185 (Connecticut Avenue). Read more.

Capital Bikeshare to Offer Special Fares During SafeTrack


Beginning on Saturday, June 4, Capital Bikeshare will offer a Single-Trip fare that will allow travelers to take a single Capital Bikeshare ride for as low as $2 for trips under 30 minutes. Read more.

Keep Montgomery County Clean and Green Landscape Beautification Contest Deadline Extended to June 17


The Rockshire Entranceway in Rockville was a participant in the Landscape Beautification competition for seven years, retiring last year receiving a Golden Trowel Award. Landscaping was maintained by the Rockshire Garden Club.

The deadline for the Montgomery County Department of Transportation's (MCDOT) Annual Keep Montgomery County Clean and Green (formerly Keep Montgomery County Beautiful) 
 Landscape Beautification Contest has been extended to June 17. The contest recognizes community groups, businesses, public institutions and other organizations undertaking landscaping projects that enhance the appearance of commonly owned sections of commercial or residential properties in Montgomery County. Landscaping along County roadsides, medians, or other public locations is also eligible for the award. 
 2016 Landscape Competition

Landscapes should emphasize environmentally sensitive plantings that eschew non-native and invasive species, help reduce stormwater runoff, minimize water use, provide wildlife habitat, and keep pesticides and fertilizers out of local streams.

First Place winner for 2015 in Montgomery County BY DAY category.
MCDOT is also accepting applications for its Annual Amateur Photography competition through July 1. 

MCDOT to Provide Supplemental Bus and Other Services During SafeTrack Surges



The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) continues to develop plans to supplement the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (WMATA) efforts to assist travelers during SafeTrack. SafeTrack is WMATA’s year-long effort to improve the safety and reliability of the Metrorail system. Three planned line segment repairs and around-the-clock single tracking projects, referred to as “Safety Surges,” will affect WMATA’s Red Line service in Montgomery County.

“Montgomery County residents and employees are going to be significantly impacted by SafeTrack and that is why I have directed MCDOT to take the lead in doing what we can to mitigate these effects -- not only for Red Line riders but for all travelers in the County,” said Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett. “MCDOT is closely coordinating our response to SafeTrack with our regional partners – WMATA, the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA), the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) and Capital Bikeshare -- through a multi-pronged approach in cooperation with our Police and Department of General Services -- to do what we can to offer options to our residents.”

MCDOT is coordinating with WMATA, MTA, MDOT and Capital Bikeshare to assist travelers as they continue to work on their service plans for later Surges. WMATA’s first Surge (Surge 6) in Montgomery County does not begin until August 1. WMATA has committed 40 buses to enhance service in surge areas. Responding to a request from MCDOT, MARC will add cars to existing trains during peak periods. Capital Bikeshare will offer a $2 one-time use option.

Throughout the Surges, MCDOT will be monitoring conditions and making adjustments as needed, but its initial plan is shown below:

ENHANCE RIDE ON SERVICE – INITIAL PLAN:

By keeping up to 17 recently replaced buses in service, MCDOT will both provide additional Ride On service on certain bus routes and free bus shuttles between affected Metrorail stations. Ride On will provide on-street ambassadors at affected Metrorail stations to help direct travelers to transit options.

Surge 6 - August 1 through August 7, 2016: Continuous single tracking from the Takoma to Silver Spring stations. 

Ride On will provide free bus shuttles every 10 minutes during peak travel times:
  • Silver Spring to Fort Totten stations (connecting with Metro’s Green Line) with service at Takoma Station; and
  • Grosvenor to Friendship Heights stations, with stops at Medical Center and Bethesda.
Surge 7 - August 9 through August 18, 2016: Continuous single tracking from the Twinbrook to Shady Grove stations.
  • Ride On will provide a free bus shuttle between the Grosvenor and Shady Grove stations via I-270 every 10 minutes during peak travel times.
  •  Ride On will add more buses to Ride On’s Route 46 that provides service from Grosvenor to Rockville via White Flint and Twinbrook, increasing bus frequency to every 10 minutes during peak travel times. Regular fares apply.
Surge 10 - October 10 through November 1, 2016: Total shutdown of Metrorail between NoMa-Galludet University and Fort Totten stations.
  • Ride On will provide free bus shuttles every 10 minutes during peak travel times between the Silver Spring Transit Center and Fort Totten via Takoma Station along Blair Road.
  • Ride On’s service will supplement WMATA’s bus bridge between Fort Totten and NoMa-Galludet University Station.
PROMOTE ALTERNATIVES THROUGH COMMUTER SERVICES
  • Coordinate with area employers to use Fare Share transit and vanpool benefits and increased State tax credits to augment promotion of alternatives to Metrorail, including vanpools, buses and MARC train.
  • Promote adoption of telework by employers by holding seminars and webinars and providing free consulting services. “Telework Quick Start” webinars are schedule for June 23 and 28.
  • Promote employer-based carpooling by facilitating match-up meetings, online enrollment, Guaranteed Ride Home registration and incentives.
  • Promote biking and Bikeshare.
  • Provide interactive information through website links and personalized assistance: www.montgomerycountymd.gov/commute or email  mcdot.commuterservices@montgomerycountymd.gov  for more information
ENHANCE TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT CENTER (TMC) OPERATIONS TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW

The TMC monitors and provides information on traffic conditions and can make traffic signal adjustments in real time. The TMC will increase its emphasis on improving traffic flow in corridors affected by SafeTrack Surges, facilitating signal changes and providing enhanced response to disabled vehicles or other traffic impediments.

USE ON-STREET PARKING RESTRICTIONS AND ENFORCEMENT AS NEEDED TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW

MCDOT will focus efforts on traffic corridors in areas affected by SafeTrack.

Learn more about MCDOT's SafeTrack and WMATA's full plan.

Receive the latest alerts from Ride On and Metro.

Update on Highway Services Road Resurfacing and Repair Projects


MCDOT extends the life of roads by making timely repairs. Staff preserve pavement on primary and arterial roadways by repairing concrete, patching, removing one to two inches of roadway surface and then paving with hot mix asphalt.

Arlington Road, between Bradley Boulevard and Old Georgetown Road, will be resurfaced starting this month. The project will take about five weeks to complete, weather permitting. To minimize inconvenience to the public, work will occur between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. and at night between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m.  Read more.


MCDOT to Hold Public Hearing on Musgrove Road Sidewalk on June 16


The Montgomery County Department of Transportation will hold a public hearing on a proposal to construct missing sidewalk segments along Musgrove Road, between US29/Columbia Pike and Fairland Road.

The hearing will be held on June 16 beginning at 7 p.m. at the HCR ManorCare Rehabilitation Facility located at 2501 Musgrove Road in Silver Spring. Parking is available in the U-shaped drive parking lot.

For more information, call 240-777-7270.


Become an Adopt a Road or Adopt a Spot Volunteer


Join hundreds of volunteers who keep our roadways and parks free of litter by participating in the Montgomery County Department of Transportation’s (MCDOT) Adopt A Road (AAR) and Adopt A Spot (AAS) programs. Read more.

TRAFFIC ALERT: Weekend-Long Capital Beltway Double Lane Closures Begin the Evening of June 10 for Emergency Bridge Work on Outer Loop of I-495

 

Beginning Friday, June 10 at 9 p.m. (weather permitting), the Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) will temporarily close two lanes on the outer loop of I-495 (Capital Beltway) from MD 97 (Georgia Avenue) to MD 185 (Connecticut Avenue). Weather and progress permitting, all lanes should reopen no later than 5 a.m. Monday morning. 

Crews will make emergency repairs to the I-495 Bridge over Jones Mill Road/Stonybrook Drive. The bridge driving surface is in poor condition. During the lane closures, crews will remove the top layer of concrete on the bridge, repair the bridge expansion joints and deck, and resurface the bridge deck with concrete. The work will improve ride quality for drivers.

The repairs and lane closures over the weekend will take place in two phases. Crews will first close two left lanes on the outer loop of I-495 to begin repairs, reopen the left two lanes once the first phase of work is complete and then close the right two lanes on the outer loop to complete the second phase of the repairs. Equipment used for construction may be disruptive.

All lanes necessary to complete each phase of the repairs will remain closed until it is safe for motorists. Drivers should plan ahead and expect delays. For the latest real-time travel information, log onto www.md511.org or call 1-855-466-3511 using a hands-free device